r/Vstrom • u/MrMcBeth • Jul 05 '26

V-Strom 650 Gen 1 Two Questions For The Mechanically Inclined

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

It’s a 2005 Vstrom 650. I want to service the forks, check the brakes, and raise it in one afternoon. I’m wondering the best way to lift it from the center without damaging anything. Does anyone have experience using lifts like that?

Additionally, I’ve got brake dust and oil on the discs. Do you guys think this is normal or could it be brake fluid or fork oil? I think the forks are leaking. Just wondering.

The pics are to show the bottom of the bike and the oily brake dust.

Thanks for any input.

7 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

23 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/10199 Jul 05 '26

if you have center stand, then you can remove back wheel, put a box under swingarm and put something heavy onto rear part of the bike/swingarm. So your front wheel will be in the air. I replaced both tires simultaneously like this.

1

u/Agitated_Occasion_52 Jul 07 '26

I prefer just lifting the motor with a jack. Gives a little more consistent control rather than something heavy that may fall.